intro December 11, 2007

An age-old theme in all societies is the effect of the quality of one’s environment on one’s life. It is a recurring topic in many pieces of art as well as contemporary films. Through comparing the 18th century engraving, “Gin Lane” by William Hogarth, to the contemporary film, Finding Forester, one finds many of the same concerns that stem from the poverty and decay that the characters are surrounded by in their daily lives.